Miami

For a little background on my reply...I've been jumping both vector 3's and racers for the past 3 years, and pretty much only racers the 8 years before that. It would not really be a comparison...the skyhook is going to be faster by far. If the rigger is not familiar with the system, regardless of which it is, problems can arise with the reserve repack. I'm much more familiar and current with racer reserve repacks, but others may not be...while my sig line is poking fun it is not a joke. Just like with any system as long as it is packed correctly there would be no issues of a line hanging up on the pop top. While I have never jumped a board I have jumped numerous wingsuits and thousands of video jumps with no issues what so ever with my racers (I've had 4 of them). Just like the skyhook cannot be beat for reserve extraction speed, the racer cannot be beat for comfort and lower weight. I would be extremely shocked if you ordered a racer and had it come not fitting properly. In all I would suggest going with the racer. When you look at rigs as a whole they are all pretty equal as far as functionality goes. That aside what factors do you have to judge which rig you want? If you were to do a side-by-side comparison of the two rigs... comfort - racer light weight - racer looks - ...well, thats really in the eye of the beholder isn't it? Hope this helps... Miami

Looks nice...how much is it? Miami

Guess you haven't tried releasing the ratcheting device while the helmet is under a load...even like the one described. Just have a buddy stand in a chair and lift the helmet on your head and release it (even unthread it entirely)...it usually works just fine, depending on the fit. You don't need a weighted dummy true to your weight cause a streamering main is far from halting your downward progress. The energy created by tightly fastening the helmet provides the vector of force needed to release it properly, whether with the ratchet or with the cutaway...it's just that the normal release system might be hard to find and operate (not to mention timely to unthread completely) in an emergency situation, where the cutaway would be easy to operate. Hope this helps... Miami

How many legitmate helmet cutaways have you heard of? I've been in this sport for a decent amount of time and have yet to see one. That of course does not mean they don't happen, it's just a pretty rare occurance. How many simple cutaway systems have you tested? Seems like that statement would be hard to validate if the only system you have checked out is the one on the FTP. If there were forced applied like you are saying the ratcheting device would not release when you take the helmet off of your head. Which way does the rear piece move when you press the release button? It moves away from the helmet, not up, down or any other lateral movement is prominent. Just like that force is applied to the left side for the ratcheting device, it is applied to the right side where the cutaway system is located, which puts the force in line with the cutaway system, regardless of which system it is. If it were really loaded cross wise it would not matter what cutaway system you had, it would not work. Seeing as how I have already owned multiple FTN and FTP's convincing me is not an issue. I already have bought an Azimuth, there have been no problems with the cutaway system releasing either, I really feel in an emergency situation it will provide an easier separation for a clean cutaway. Excellent to hear you got a good deal. Some don't want to wait the 6 months for the bonds to mature and then wait for their helmet to be made. The Azimuth is a great alternative that can be had for a very competitive price. The construction is sound, the system works great, and the paint is nothing short of amazing. Hope this helps... Miami

I don't see how you can think that the design with the 2 ring system will perform worse than the latch design used on the FTP. Where exactly do you think the direction of leverage is on that design? I have taken the liberty of adding to the illustration you provided, hopefully this will help. Despite the vectors of force from whatever on the helmet, there will always be outward force applied to the rear closure piece on the helmet when it is tightened on the head. This is what allows the cutaway system to work on either set up. The only way for force to be applied in the direction you displayed all the way down to the cutaway system would be if the helmet were completely loose (and if you had no chin!)...that would be the only foreseeable instance I could see the cutaway system not working...but I still have not seen how the 2 ring system is worse. edit to add: Wow, that picture came out very small! You can see the arrow but the text reads "Direction force is applied to rear helmet closure, regardless of force applied by outside sources" Miami

It looks to me like you are thinking the back piece of the helmet must travel (in relation to the vertical plane relative to the rear of the helmet) up or down, or maybe even side to side, in order to achieve a release. It must simply travel away from the head... identical to the normal ratcheting closure method, only on the opposite side. This puts the 2-ring cutaway system nearly perfectly in line with the direction it needs to travel to achieve smooth release. I'm really surprised you would make such a harsh statement about this type of cutaway system...one that has a greater degree of flex and if anything would allow a clean cutaway even if the angle of separation varied slightly...when the system on the FTP/FTN is a solid state system and allows absolutely no deviation in the angle of the cutaway system... Miami

Don't you want to be the first kid on your block with one? Why? With a US dealer who can take care of nearly all your needs is there really that much of a difference (unless you live near perris)? I'm not following...how is that a miss-use of the leverage of the 2-ring system? Have you physically tested the cutaway system on your FTP? I mean put it on, cinch it down, chop it, and see how easily it comes off? I have with at least 6 different helmets...all with varying results. If you haven't you really should...it's good to be familiar with your gear. The 2-ring system is IMO a simpler system copied after a proven design. Miami

Attached is a better view of the current cutaway system installed on the Azimuth...the cable is no longer exposed and the 2 ring cutaway system provides a little bit of flex...meaning more comfort while still securely strapped to you noggin. Andy, I think this qualifies as a good alternative, plenty of room to topmount everything. Once mine is set up I'll take some pics to post, but it's going to have a trv70, 20D w/17-85mm, and a 580ex speedlight on top. Hope this helps... Miami

And the cutaway system...2K uses a 2 ring release system that looks very nice. Not sure if any of you have tried out the cutaway system on the FTP but I have on a few different helmets. Some released just fine, others hung up and needed some jiggling before they would release. The 2 ring system is much more likely to release cleanly during a cutaway situation. If I can I'll take a picture of mine and post it soon, or I'm sure I have a photo of other Azimuths I can resize and post...just gotta find it... As far as price, if you check the classifieds here you can find the Azimuth, custom made for you, delivered for a little more than $500, instead of $700+ for a FTP. Hope this helps... Miami

The seller I linked at the beginning of this thread has been selling the 5D for $2750. He hasn't had anything up for a couple weeks now so not sure if he still selling them or not though... Miami

PM sent. Miami

I don't know if I would say it is far superior, but I changed my mind from the XT to the 20D for the higher frames/sec rate and the larger buffer for more pictures during a burst. The price really wasn't that different...I found a new in box 20D with the lens I wanted for about $100 more than I was about to spend on an XT. And the 20D is less than a half pound heavier than the XT...less than the difference of going from a FTN to a FTP. Hope this helps... Miami

I would say the 17-85 USM IS qualifies as decent. Miami

I've never found a huge importance in using the ring sight with your dominant eye. I am left eye dominant but have always used right eye ring sights with no problems. The method I had been taught to figure out eye dominance was to focus on something in the distance, then bring your thumb up at arms length to block that from view (it should appear as two thumbs as you are focused out in the distance). You will only block one of your eyes...so close one eye at a time to see which eye you are blocking, and that is your dominant eye. Hope this helps... Miami

Try here instead...$99.95 ($109.90 shipped) for the 1 gb sandisk extreme III compact flash card, 20mb/sec read/write speed I think...nice card. Miami

You can read the reviews at resellerratings.com and you will find that those places are scams. You can order the camera but if you don't buy their insanely overpriced accessory kits they keep your camera on backorder forever...you will never get it. Miami

I've seen the seller I linked a while back selling the 20D bodies for $1050 shipped. I think he even had some of the 20D's with the 18-55mm lens for $1125 or $1150...I haven't been watching his auctions as close lately while I've been moving across the country. Miami

Details, guys, details! Just like Wolf camera, discussed earlier, Ritz has the 20D with the 17-85mm USM IS for $1999 ($1899 after rebate)...still a large chunk more than the seller in the link I provided. Miami

I wear video on all of my jumps (except tandems). With AFF it is sidemounted in an FF2 with nothing else mounted to the helmet (so absolutely nothing to snag) and it is a turn it on and forget it situation. I just started jumping a .25 (was previously jumping a .3) and love the video I am getting with it. Generally my students get to watch the video a few times, but they don't get a copy of their own...they have to pay for an outside video for that. Really the only con I can see is if you worry about the video...the student really must be your only priority...if the video is giving you problems forget about it and figure it out when you get on the ground. Hope this helps... Miami

I'll be keeping an eye out as well. Here's a scary story similar to your situation...my car was broken into overnight at a friends house with all of my gear in the trunk...2 brand new complete rigs, video gear, and a friends set of expensive golf clubs. Next morning came out to find the radio ripped out of the dash, my cd case with about 100 cds stolen, inside of my car ripped to shreds, trunk open but all of my gear and clubs still in it...main container on one rig opened with a couple of stows undone. Only thing we could guess was that they either got interrupted or they were kids on bikes and couldn't haul that much stuff. They must not have seen the camera gear under the other stuff. Scary thing was my insurance would not have covered any of it and I was living in the dorms on a military base so no homeowners either...I would have been out about 15K with no way to work at the dz anymore. My friends car was parked a couple spaces down from mine and they got her stereo and cds as well. I hate thieves... Miami

The 17-85 is a much nicer lens...if you visit canon's website you can get all of the specifics for each lens. The differences I got it for were 1)it's a little wider, 2)Ultrasonic motor means faster focusing, and 3)Image stabilization means not as much motion blur from my movement. Basically the 17-85 USM IS is just a much higher quality lens...the 18-55 is one of the cheaper lenses that canon makes, but I do know of people using it successfully in skydiving. Hope this helps... Miami

The same guy also has a new 5D up right now for $2750...wish I had some extra cash laying around... Miami

Work...I only get Sundays off. But this is the last weekend of that...from now on I'm an all weekend jumpin fool again! Miami

Hey, that's a great picture! Miami

Haha, well of course I'll be at Mile Hi...I'll be up there all of Halloween weekend! I'll definitely be stopping into Orange, Louisa, and West Point, but I'll also be living somewhat close to them as well...are there any other dz's between my start and stop point that might be open during the week? Miami